Florida Construction Accident Lawyer | FL Construction Injury Attorney

A construction injury in Florida can ultimately result in catastrophic injuries that lead to disabilities or even death on site. Many of these tragic accidents occur because of negligence or carelessness.

If negligence caused you or your loved one’s construction accident injuries or wrongful death, then you may have a legitimate legal claim for compensation.

The challenge in this case often lies in identifying the responsible party. There can be multiple parties at fault, including a construction company, contractors, or subcontractors.

Our Florida Construction Accident Lawyers at Whittel and Melton can represent your best interests and protect you. Our goal is to secure the full and fair compensation you deserve for your suffering.

How Do Construction Accidents Happen?

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, there were 11.4 million U.S. workers employed in the construction industry in 2019, which is a whopping 25% increase since 2011.

The most common causes of construction accidents in the United States usually fit into one of the following four categories:

• Falls: the leading cause of work-related deaths in the construction industry accounting for 36.4% of the total number of fatalities in the industry
• Being struck by an object: injuries of this kind account for 15.4% of fatal construction injuries
• Electrocution: injuries of this kind account for 7.2% of fatal construction injuries
• Becoming trapped or caught between objects: injuries of this kind account for 5.4% of fatal construction accidents.

Serious accidental injuries can happen anywhere, but numerous risks are exclusive to construction sites that make workers and those nearby much more susceptible to harm, including:

• Defective equipment
• Unsafe features on the premises
• Insufficient protection from falling objects
• Trip hazards/slip hazards
• Open trenches
• Toxic chemicals stored incorrectly
• Elevated structures lacking proper fall prevention features
• Deficient safeguards for power sources

Any of the above conditions could be a sign of negligence, which is something that a construction accident lawyer will need to prove to achieve a successful settlement or verdict.

Common Injuries from Construction Accidents

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that Florida ranks third in the nation for states with the highest employment level in Construction Laborers, employing 66,980 construction workers. Construction occupations accounted for the second highest occupational deaths in 2021, with 951 fatalities.

Some of the most common injuries that result from construction site accidents include the following:

• Head and neck injuries
• Construction vehicle
• accident injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal injuries
• Electrical burns
• Amputations
• Crane accident injuries
• Bricklayer accident injuries
• Hearing Loss
• Vision loss
• Heart Damage
• Nerve Damage
• Spinal Cord Trauma
• Coma
• Paralysis, paraplegia,
• quadriplegia
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Wrongful death

Construction workers injured while at work have the right to pursue a workers’ compensation claim. However, we must warn you that these benefits may not cover all the damages associated with the injury. Therefore, workers and even pedestrians, bystanders, passersby, or guests visiting a construction site may pursue legal action against the at-fault party or parties and their insurance companies through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.

Can Bystanders or Passersby Pursue Construction Accident Claims?

Construction accident injuries are not limited to just construction workers. Construction companies and supervisors have a legal obligation to protect employees at a job site as well as all others who may be in the vicinity.

If you were harmed by debris, malfunctioning equipment, or any other construction-related incidents, our Florida Construction Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are here to assist you with legal action.

Who Is to Blame for Construction Site Accidents?

For most construction accident injury victims, proving fault comes with challenges. Since many active parties are working multiple jobs at any given time on a construction site, such as general contractors, construction managers, superintendents, project developers, project managers, subcontractors, the list goes on.

If the construction manager or general contractor fails to follow safety guidelines and protocols, the company may be to blame when accidents happen. However, subcontractors are responsible for their employees who may engage in careless or negligent behavior, so they may be partially liable if an accidental injury arises.

Once our Florida Construction Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can determine who acted negligently resulting in your accidental injury. After that, we begin backing up our claims by representing the legal elements of negligence.

1. Duty of Care: Every construction firm is responsible for the safety of both workers and the public. For example, excavation contractors must ensure their employees are trained to operate heavy machinery like those used for digging and drilling. Similarly, steel contractors need a site-specific erection and fall protection plan.
2. Breach of Duty: Accidents happen when contractors neglect their responsibilities. For instance, if an excavation contractor fails to inform workers about underground utilities, they could be liable for injuries if a line is struck. Likewise, a steel contractor may be responsible if a worker falls due to inadequate training.
3. Causation: Florida law requires that the at-fault party’s actions directly cause or significantly contribute to the victim’s injuries. For example, if an untrained worker operates equipment and injures someone, the responsible contractor is liable.
4. Actual Damages: This last element involves proving the financial impact of the accident, such as lost wages or medical expenses, using documentation like wage statements and medical bills.

How Our Florida Construction Accident Lawyers Can Help You

Our Florida Construction Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have a solid understanding of how construction job sites are run and the various operations that are carried out daily. We know the federal regulations enforced by OSHA and state safety and building codes.

Once you hire us, we can investigate the working conditions on a job site to reveal any violations or negligent working conditions that may be the culprit of your injuries.

If you or a loved one have suffered from an injury or death related to a construction site mishap, please reach out to us as soon as possible.

Call us today at 866-608-5529 for assistance anywhere in Florida. We will provide you with a free consultation where we can answer your questions and help you understand the legal options available to you.